With the 2022 Formula 1 season fast approaching with revolutionary new cars, let’s look at the two key questions every team is facing this year. Let’s start with the team that placed 10th overall in 2021: Haas.
QUESTION #1: Will greater Ferrari involvement change the fortunes of Haas?
2021 marked the first time in Haas’ six-year existence that they didn’t score a single point, with a combination of an — intentionally — undeveloped Haas VF-21 and an all-new, all-rookie lineup contributing to their painful zero-point finish. But Haas knew 2022 was the price and were apparently happy to bite the bullet and sacrifice their season to focus on the new regulations.
READ MORE: Steiner is ‘cautiously optimistic’ Haas will return to midfield in 2022
A big change that could signal a revival of their fortunes this season is the ongoing impact of the cost cap. That change – which last year meant teams had to work with a base cap of $145 million – meant the larger F1 teams had little choice but to slim down.
Part of Ferrari’s solution was to move a number of Haas employees to the team’s Maranello-based technical center, part of a “long-term relationship…to allow both parties to benefit from possible synergies consistent with what’s going on in.” FIA regulations are defined,” says Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto.
Chief among the transfers was the highly rated Simone Resta, who was announced as Haas’ first technical director in late 2020. With this influx of Ferrari talent working on the team’s 2022 car – plus an all-new Ferrari power unit elements of which made their promising debut in 2021 – Haas Team Principal Günther Steiner expressed “cautiously optimistic” about the team’s return midfield this season.
QUESTION #2: Can Schumacher and Mazepin work in harmony to move Haas up the leaderboard?
However, any improvements Haas made on the track in 2022 could still be kiboshed if there is a toxic atmosphere in the garage.
Last year the team paired 2020 Formula 2 champion Mick Schumacher with F2 race winner Nikita Mazepin. Yes, problems were to be expected over how long it would take the pair to keep up with the demands of F1. But perhaps more surprising were the occasional flashpoints of resentment at the track as the pair attempted to hold their own on the team despite ranking outside of the points all year.
ANALYSIS: Why Haas kept Schumacher and Mazepin for 2022
2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Late move as Schumacher overtakes Mazepin on final lap
Awkward and downright awkward moments between the two drivers at Baku and Zandvoort, as well as Mazepin spinning Schumacher around at Monza, made it clear that a difficult car wasn’t the only issue Haas had to contend with in 2021.
READ MORE: Mazepin responds to criticism from Schumacher family after Haas drivers clash at Zandvoort
And if improvements to Haas’ machines in 2022 don’t match improvements in their riders’ on-track behavior, then the prospect of a bad feeling between Mazepin and Schumacher that could cost the team points this season could lead to some lengthy ones and open discussions with the team lead boss Günther Steiner …
